September 22: Hobbit Day

I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit upset because I just found out that today, September 22 is the last day of Tolkien Week*! I’m going to have to do something extra special to make up for missing the rest of it, even though I did have fun on Tolkien Reading Day in March.

This is Hobbit Day because both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins have their birthday on September 22. (Actually, diehards debate this, since the date is given in the Shire calendar, and is difficult to convert into ours.) The Fellowship of the Ring begins with a large celebration for Bilbo’s 111th birthday.

There are many ways to celebrate Hobbit Day. Besides reading (or watching) one of Tolkien’s great stories with hobbits, you can also wander around barefoot (and the hairier your feet, the better!). You can also throw your own Hobbit Day party, with plenty of music, food and games like Bilbo’s birthday party. Fireworks may be a bit difficult to pick up at the last minute, but they’d definitely fit in!